“If you saw The Night Manager,” intoned the continuity, breathlessly, “or even if you didn’t, you will not want to miss this.” Sorry, but what are you actually talking about, man? “Even if you didn’t...”? In which case, why mention it at all? Still, I suppose it breaks the monotony of having to intone that dreary “ contains some scenes some viewers may find disturbing/upsetting/mildly challenging/interesting” before every single programme that is not airing on CBBC or Nickelodeon.

Other than the fact, then, that both were stamped with the Cornwell/Le Carré imprimatur, ...